Save museum, help children

There are few destinations in Eureka as safe, fun and educational for young children as the Redwood Discovery Museum at the corner of F and Third streets in Old Town. Since moving there in 2002 from its former digs in the Bayshore Mall, the nonprofit museum has offered educational exhibits and interactive programs in science, technology, culture and art. In addition to providing the community with more than 200 free programs a year, the museum also offers drop-off programs, field trips, birthday parties, and runs a summer camp near Freshwater Creek geared toward environmental education.

Thanks to the assistance of local volunteers and businesses, the museum is able to offer the community all this and more, serving an estimated 12,000 community members annually.

The museum usually relies on its main fundraiser -- March's "Perilous Plunge" -- to make up over one-quarter of its annual budget of around $180,000. But rising rent and insurance costs have put a serious drain on the museum's savings account.

So much so that, unless we all dig a little deeper for the holidays, the museum might not make it to 2013.

In an effort to keep its doors open, the museum has launched a "100 by 100" fundraiser. Its goal: To get 100 businesses or individuals to donate $100 each to the museum by Dec. 31. All proceeds will go toward the museum's general operating expenses, and all donations are tax-deductible. As of Thursday afternoon, the museum had raised almost $7,000, much of it in $100 amounts.

It is difficult to think of a better holiday gift to a community than the gift of a safe environment that helps spark and nurture the flame of curiosity in young minds. Please consider a donation to the Redwood Discovery Museum this holiday season.

HOW TO HELP

For more information about the Redwood Discovery Museum, including how to make a donation, visit www.discovery-museum.org or call 443-9694.